By Yoon Chul
Coach Cho Kwang-rae’s second international match as head of the Korean national team ended in 1-0 defeat against Iran, Tuesday.
At the Seoul World Cup Stadium, Iranian forward Masoud Shojaei hit the back of the net courtesy of a mistake by veteran Lee Young-pyo in the 35th minute.
Cho sent on young potentials Choi Hyo-jin, Kim Young-kwon and Hong Jung-ho to test them ahead of another friendly against archrival Japan on Oct. 12.
Korea tried to grab victory against their Middle Eastern opponent for the first time since 2005, but failed to get the result.
Overseas players Park Chu-young and Lee Chung-yong generated a good chance in the second minute. Bolton Wanderers’ midfielder Lee deprived a defender to give a through ball to AS Monaco striker Park, who declined to shoot, and instead provided a return pass to Lee positioned in front of the penalty box.
Lee’s low shot to the right, however was deflected by Iranian goalie Mehdi Rahmati’s left foot as he dived the wrong way.
Following this most of the game became a battle in midfield.
The Koreans moved a lot and used a lot of short passes to keep pressure on Iran, but the visitors were up to the task.
The continued Iranian pressure prevented Korea from producing the creative plays they used in their first friendly after the World Cup against Nigeria.
Ki Sung-yueng and Yoon Bitgaram were often isolated as Lee Young-pyo and Choi Hyo-jin joined the back line.
In the 32nd minute a fast break started by Park Chu-young’s through pass from the right flank near the half found Choi in the right corner of the opponent’s half.
His one-touch pass to captain Park Ji-sung allowed the Manchester United star to rifle in a shot to the right of the goal that was deflected by a defender.
Three minutes later, Iran struck as a corner kick by Ki was cleared with a long ball from defense that veteran Lee appeared to control as he passed it to the lone back man Kim Young-kwon. The pass was short and intercepted.
Two Iranians dashed into the Korean half and outplayed Kim leaving Shojaei to lob over the approaching keeper Jung Sung-ryong.
In the second half, while trying to get back in the game, the Korean team was less impressive.
Stoppage time saw a shot in front of the goal area by substitute midfielder Kim Do-heon but he proved to be way off target.